Nanostructured particles like nanorice and nanospears (i.e., tapered nanorods, see figure) are produced using polymer nanospheres and ordered porous templates. The ordered cylindrical nanopores of anodized alumina membranes are filled with spherical polymer nanoparticles by solvent-assisted nanoinjection. Then, the membranes are heated in an oven above the glass-transition temperature of the polymer.